Aquino lauds awardees of Philippine National Police
President Benigno S. Aquino III heaped praises on the 23 members, employees and officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their commendable and valiant service in the line of duty during the commemoration of the PNP’s 110th Police Service Anniversary on Monday at the institution’s headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon.
In his speech keynoting the event led by PNP Director General Raul Bacalzo and Interior and Local Secretary Jesse Robredo, the President heartfully thanked the awardees for their professionalism in doing their jobs which he said would oftentimes cost them their lives.
“Binabati at pinapasalamatan ko rin ang mga binigyang-parangal ngayon. Patunay kayo na hindi naglalaho ang propesyunalismo sa PNP. Mula sa mga panahon ng digmaan hanggang sa mga nanggugulo pa rin sa umaayos na nating bayan; mula sa gumagawa at nagtatangkang gumawa ng krimen, hanggang sa pagragasa ng mga sakuna sa ating bayan, nandiyan kayo, handang ialay ang buhay para sa bayan,” the President said.
The President personally handed out awards to: Police Senior Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan – Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration; PSSupt. Ronald dela Rosa – Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Operation; PCInsp. Romeo Santander – Junior Police Commissioned Officer; SPO4 Florante Ubina – Senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer; PO2 Nelson Sad-Ang – Junior Police Non-Commissioned Officer;
PSInsp. Genie Balabal – Women and Children Protection Desk Officer; PInsp. Benigno Alabao – Lead PNP Awardee; PInsp. Charity Galvez – Medalya ng Katapangan; PCInsp. Allan Umipig – Medalya ng Katapangan; SPO2 Ricky Oman Agwit – Posthumous Promotion; SPO2 Jeff Domingo – Posthumous Promotion; Mely Sorra – Non-Uniformed Personnel (Supervisory level); Michael dela Vega – Non-Uniformed Personnel (Non-Supervisory level); Police Regional Office Cordillera – Best Police Regional Office; PRO 4A (Quezon) – Best Police Provincial Office; PRO 12 – Best City Police Office; 5th Regional Public Safety Battalion, PRO5 – Best Provincial Public Safety Company; Cagayan de Oro City Public Safety Company, PRO10 – Best City Public Safety Company; San Fernando City Police Station, PRO1 – Best Component City Police Station; Glan Municipal Police Station – Best Municipal Police Station; Special Action Force – Best National Operations Support Unit; Headquarters Support Service – Best National Administrative Support Unit; and, Eastern Police District, NCRPO – Best NCRPO District.
The President highlighted the achievements of PO2 Eduardo Santiago, Inspector Charity Galvez and Chief Inspector Allan Umigpig whose heroism not only saved the lives of civilians and fellow policemen but have also brought honor to their ranks.
Santiago, the President said, saved the lives of two children after robbers held up a provincial bus plying the North Luzon Expressway last May while Galvez and some 30 policemen repulsed an attack of 250 communist rebels of a police precinct in Trento, Agusan del Sur last month.
The President added that Umipig and his men were instrumental in solving a Parañaque heist last June that resulted in the return of P87,000 worth of cash and personal effects forcibly taken from the victims.
President Benigno S. Aquino III heaped praises on the 23 members, employees and officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their commendable and valiant service in the line of duty during the commemoration of the PNP’s 110th Police Service Anniversary on Monday at the institution’s headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon.
In his speech keynoting the event led by PNP Director General Raul Bacalzo and Interior and Local Secretary Jesse Robredo, the President heartfully thanked the awardees for their professionalism in doing their jobs which he said would oftentimes cost them their lives.
“Binabati at pinapasalamatan ko rin ang mga binigyang-parangal ngayon. Patunay kayo na hindi naglalaho ang propesyunalismo sa PNP. Mula sa mga panahon ng digmaan hanggang sa mga nanggugulo pa rin sa umaayos na nating bayan; mula sa gumagawa at nagtatangkang gumawa ng krimen, hanggang sa pagragasa ng mga sakuna sa ating bayan, nandiyan kayo, handang ialay ang buhay para sa bayan,” the President said.
The President personally handed out awards to: Police Senior Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan – Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Administration; PSSupt. Ronald dela Rosa – Senior Police Commissioned Officer for Operation; PCInsp. Romeo Santander – Junior Police Commissioned Officer; SPO4 Florante Ubina – Senior Police Non-Commissioned Officer; PO2 Nelson Sad-Ang – Junior Police Non-Commissioned Officer;
PSInsp. Genie Balabal – Women and Children Protection Desk Officer; PInsp. Benigno Alabao – Lead PNP Awardee; PInsp. Charity Galvez – Medalya ng Katapangan; PCInsp. Allan Umipig – Medalya ng Katapangan; SPO2 Ricky Oman Agwit – Posthumous Promotion; SPO2 Jeff Domingo – Posthumous Promotion; Mely Sorra – Non-Uniformed Personnel (Supervisory level); Michael dela Vega – Non-Uniformed Personnel (Non-Supervisory level); Police Regional Office Cordillera – Best Police Regional Office; PRO 4A (Quezon) – Best Police Provincial Office; PRO 12 – Best City Police Office; 5th Regional Public Safety Battalion, PRO5 – Best Provincial Public Safety Company; Cagayan de Oro City Public Safety Company, PRO10 – Best City Public Safety Company; San Fernando City Police Station, PRO1 – Best Component City Police Station; Glan Municipal Police Station – Best Municipal Police Station; Special Action Force – Best National Operations Support Unit; Headquarters Support Service – Best National Administrative Support Unit; and, Eastern Police District, NCRPO – Best NCRPO District.
The President highlighted the achievements of PO2 Eduardo Santiago, Inspector Charity Galvez and Chief Inspector Allan Umigpig whose heroism not only saved the lives of civilians and fellow policemen but have also brought honor to their ranks.
Santiago, the President said, saved the lives of two children after robbers held up a provincial bus plying the North Luzon Expressway last May while Galvez and some 30 policemen repulsed an attack of 250 communist rebels of a police precinct in Trento, Agusan del Sur last month.
The President added that Umipig and his men were instrumental in solving a Parañaque heist last June that resulted in the return of P87,000 worth of cash and personal effects forcibly taken from the victims.
“Kasama ang iba pa nating binigyang-kilala ngayong araw, talaga naman pong karapat-dapat kayo sa karangalang inyong natanggap,” the President said.
“Sagisag ang mga parangal na ito na bumabalik na ang respeto ng publiko sa ating mga unipormadong lingkod-bayan. Higit pa sa nagkikislapang medalyang iginagawad, ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa inyong hanay ang sukatan ng inyong maayos at epektibong serbisyo,” he said.(PCOO)
Coloma underscores government's commitment in pursuing ideals of ASEAN
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. underscored the Aquino government’s commitment in realizing the ideals of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as an important tool to attain peace and economic progress within the region.
In an ambush interview following the celebration of the 44th Foundation Anniversary of the Asean at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City on Monday, Coloma stressed President Benigno S. Aquino III’s commitment and efforts to express to fellow Asean-member countries the Filipinos’ determination in pushing for development of the ten-member countries of ASEAN.
“President Aquino is strongly committed in pursuing the ideals of Asean… in his several visits to the neighboring Asean countries, he has emphasized that Filipinos would like to work actively with the rest of Asean in developing our region and also with respect to issues affecting the economic progress of member-states,” Coloma said.
The PCOO chief said that the President has been advocating such efforts with strict compliance to international laws and agreements under the organization.
“President Aquino has always advocated the use of diplomacy and adherence to international laws and treaties in order to push forward the agenda of peace and prosperity in the region,” Coloma said.
This year’s celebration was a historic one considering that it was the first time the Asean-member states and their diplomatic posts and missions raised the Asean flag in their respective premises.
With the participation of its member states’ missions, the flag was flown all across the world showing unity in establishing the Asean Community in 2015.
The Asean was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration (also known as the Asean Declaration) by the founding Fathers of Asean that include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Brunei Darussalam joined Asean on January 8, 1984, Vietnam on July 28, 1995, Laos and Myanmar on July 23, 1997 and Cambodia on April 30, 1999 to comprise the ten-member nations at present.
Also present during the event were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Ambassadors of the Asean Embassies in Manila and other DFA officials and guests.(PCOO)
Aquino pledges government support for police force
In recognition of the valiant efforts and services of the men and women of the Philippine National Police (PNP), President Benigno S. Aquino III pledged government support in the form of housing, benefits and modernization programs in order to bring about complete and effective change within the instution.
In his speech keynoting the PNP’s 110th Police Service Anniversary at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday, the President said that by supporting the PNP’s quest for change in line with his “Tuwid na Daan” advocacy, the country’s premiere law enforcement institution would rise above its image and return to its former glory as protector of the people.
“Sa lahat ng inyong tapang at katapatan, nais ko pong ipaabot sa inyo na hindi lang po kayo ang nakatutok sa pangangailangan ng bayan. Nasa likod ninyo ang ating gobyerno para suklian ang inyong serbisyo,” the President said.
“Naumpisahan na po nating maipatayo at maipagkaloob ang apat na libo ng kabuuang dalawampu't isang libo at walong daang pabahay para sa ating mga sundalo at kapulisan. Sasagipin ng programang ito ang marami sa ating mga kawal at pulis na patuloy na ginigipit at pinadadapa ng mahal na upa sa bahay,” he added.
“Sa programa nating ito, dalawandaang piso na lang ang kailangan ninyong bayaran kada buwan para sa bahay na pagmamay-ari na ninyo. Mailalaan na ng ating mga pulis at kawal sa ibang pangangailangan ang perang naka-toka na sana agad sa renta,” the President said.
On the modernization of the PNP, the President said that in cooperation with the Department of Budget and Management, the government’s Capability Enhancement Program to upgrade the PNP’s equipment, can now begin.
He told the PNP that the government is working tirelessly to ensure that the police receive the support they need to perform their duties which, he said, would help the people regain their trust in the police.
“Puspusan pong nagtatrabaho ang ating administrasyon para mapabuti at mapadali ang inyong trabaho, na instrumento para sa maayos at matiwasay nating pagtahak sa tuwid na landas. Muli na nating naibabalik ang tiwala ng sambayanan, at sa repormang tinutupad natin, kabalikat ang mga pulis na patuloy na nagpapamalas ng integridad sa paggawa ng tama, hindi tayo mabibigo,” the President said.
Kung napatunayan ng mga nauna sa inyo ang serbisyong patas at wagas, kaya din ninyo itong pagtagumpayan. Kasama ang gobyerno, pinapatunayan na nating muli na narito tayo sa katungkulan, hindi para magpayaman, kundi para maglingkod sa bayan. Patuloy tayong mag-iwan ng tatak sa pagtataguyod ng dangal at seguridad sa bansa tungo sa tuloy-tuloy na pag-asenso ng ating bansa,” he added.
(PCOO)
Aquino directs NAPOLCOM to promote lady cop to next rank
President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the Department of Interior and Local Government and the National Police Commission to begin proceedings that will promote a lady cop who, together with her men belonging to a police precinct in Trenton, Agusan del Sur, held back a battalion of communist insurgents from attacking them last July 30.
The Chief Executive issued his directive to promote Inspector Charity Galvez, who is also Chief of Police of said municipality of the province, in ceremonies marking the 110th Police Service Anniversary of the Philippine National Police on Monday in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
“Matanong ko lang ho si Kalihim Jesse Robredo, Police Inspector na siya (Charity Galvez) bago nangyari yung insidente, maganda ang ginawa niya Inspector pa rin,” the President said.
“Swerte nandito ang NAPOLCOM, mukhang mako-confirm na nila yung (rank of) Senior Inspector sa lalong madaling panahon,” he stressed.
Prior to joining the PNP in 2000, Galvez was an elementary school teacher for seven years.(PCOO)
Aquino and MILF Chair Murad agree: 'We are not adversaries'
President Benigno S. Aquino III said that if he were to sum up in one sentence the outcome of his meeting with Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim in a hotel in Tokyo, Japan last August 4, it would be that both sides agreed that they are not adversaries.
The President revealed this piece of information in an interview at the sidelines of the commemoration of the 110th Police Service Anniversary of the Philippine National Police on Monday in Quezon City.
“If there is one central message that, to me, really stuck is that idea na tayo ay hindi magka-tunggali (We are not adversaries),” the President said.
“Tayo dapat ay magtulungan sa pag-aayos ng suliranin. We should concentrate on problem solving,” he added.
The President met with Ebrahim in hopes of ending the decades long war that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people.
He expressed confidence that through their meeting, a mutual “cooperation” between the two sides could be reached.
“I would like to think they will be cooperative as far as improving the situation, especially in the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and Mindanao in particular,” the President said.(PCOO)
Malacañang says Aquino government is sincere in efforts to win peace and development in Mindanao
Malacanang assured Monday that the Aquino government is sincere in its efforts to win the peace that has long been elusive in the conflict-ridden parts of the country.
In an ambush interview following the celebration of the 44th Foundation Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City on Monday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said that President Benigno S. Aquino III has a clear grasp of the ongoing peace negotiations adding that all concerned government agencies have been exerting all out measures to attain this common goal.
“Meron tayong tinatahak na peace process… malinaw sa ating Pangulo kung ano ang direksyon na dapat tahakin dito… ginagawa niya ang kanyang dapat gawin at nagbibigay siya ng karampatang direksyon para maisulong ang mga layuning ito,” Coloma said.
Coloma said that the actions being undertaken by the government peace panel are geared towards the interest of the Filipino people.
“Gagawin ng ating pamahalaan ang mga nararapat at naaayon sa proseso na isinusulong… makatitiyak ang ating mga mamamayan na ang ating Pangulo ay nananatiling tapat sa kanyang sinumpaang tungkulin na ang isusulong lamang ay pinakamataas na interes ng sambayanang Pilipino,” Coloma said.
The PCOO chief also said that the talks to end the decades-old conflict is an active and changing process as he noted the possible development it could incur, especially in the Mindanao region.
“Ito ay isang dynamic process, araw-araw na lumilipas ay mayroong kaganapan at sumusulong ang prosesong ito at palapit nang palapit tayo sa hinahangad na kapayapaan doon sa Mindanao na malaki at mahalagang bahagi ng ating bansa,” Coloma said.
Late last week, President Aquino met with Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim where they have committed to forge a final agreement to end the conflict in Mindanao within the next five years.
The said meeting took place at the Ana Crowne Hotel in Narita, a suburb of Tokyo in Japan.
In their two-hour meeting, the parties agreed to discuss possible approaches in moving the peace process forward. Both agreed to fast track the negotiations.(PCOO)
Aquino government welcomes results of Executive Outlook survey by Makati Business Club
The Aquino administration is grateful for the vote of confidence from the public following the release of the latest Makati Business Club’s Executive Outlook survey.
During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacanang welcomed the results of the survey by the Makati Business Club for the second semester of 2011 that was conducted from July 19 to August 2, this year.
Based on the survey, 64% of the MBC respondents acknowledged that the business environment has improved over the past year.
“A more overwhelming majority—76% of the respondents—believe that the economy will perform even better over the next 12 months,” Lacierda quoted the survey.
Lacierda said “the MBC members likewise cited agencies tasked with enhancing the business environment, and it is worth mentioning that the performance of the Department of Health (DOH), a pillar of our social service agenda, has garnered their praise.”
“The MBC members’ optimism and positive outlook on the country reaffirm that the government’s efforts to level the playing field in all sectors and secure greater opportunity for inclusive growth are bearing fruit,” Lacierda said.
According to Lacierda, the administration also noted that the MBC shares the sentiments of the rest of the Filipino people, as 80% of the respondents of the survey believe that graft and corruption charges should be pursued against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“We are also united in the view that although the nation has achieved palpable progress, there is much work left for us to do. It is worth noting that the agencies with the lowest net satisfaction scores are those where corruption have been most deeply entrenched,” he stressed.
He added that the government is working hard to root out corruption. “The next couple of months will no doubt manifest the reforms we have established, beginning with the appointment of our new ombudsman, Conchita Carpio-Morales,” Lacierda said.
“The support and encouragement extended to us by the Makati Business Club, the latest from the Filipino people, can only cement our nation’s collective determination to remain on the straight and righteous path toward equitable progress,” he concluded.(PCOO)
